Do you remember?

Wednesday

Mar 15, 2017 at 5:55 PMMar 15, 2017 at 5:55 PM

Pat Dooley @Pat_Dooley

Florida is playing in its 18th NCAA Tournament, which means it has played in 18 first-round games unless you want to buy the NCAA myth that Tuesday and Wednesday were the first-round games. Here are the five most memorable and five Gator fans want to forget:

Most memorable

1. Butler, 2000

Florida’s 69-68 overtime win launched a run to the national title game. But it wouldn’t have been possible without Mike Miller’s game-winner at the buzzer. Or LaVall Jordan’s two missed free throws. (Jordan is now the head coach at Milwaukee).

Hidden figure: Miller missed 11 shots in the game, but had 13 rebounds for UF.

2. James Madison, 1994

A late shot by Greg Williams was the difference, as Florida won 64-62 in Uniondale, N.Y., to begin an improbable run to the Final Four.

Hidden figure: Dan Cross and Craig Brown, who carried that team offensively, combined for 31 points on identical 6-for-13 shooting in the game.

3. St. John’s, 1988

Vernon Maxwell’s long jumper with seconds to play gave the Gators a 62-59 win in Salt Lake City. Wait, it never happened according to the NCAA, which vacated the win.

Hidden figure: Maxwell not only led Florida in scoring with 18 points, but led the Gators with seven rebounds, six assists and five turnovers.

4. South Alabama, 2006

It was teacher vs. pupil when Billy Donovan coached against John Pelphrey in Jacksonville. The teacher won easily 76-50 on the way to UF’s first national title.

Hidden figure: Lee Humphrey and Joakim Noah started a trend in this game, as Humphrey was 6-of-8 from 3 and Noah blocked five shots.

5. Jackson State, 2007

Florida started slowly and trailed for a good part of the first half before taking a six-point lead at the half. The second half was record breaking, as the Gators scored 71 points on their way to a 112-69 win.